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Specifications:
Range: 58 notes, nearly 5 octaves, GG-e''' chromatic,
transposing (a' = 415, 440 Hz)
Disposition: 2 x 8',
2
x 8', buff (on back, long 8'), handstops
Decoration:
The
major color of the instrument's case exterior is a saturated
brick red bounded top and bottom by slate grey/black bands
with trompe l'oeil relief details. The lid exterior
is all black as is the top edge of the case. The interior
of the case is papered in the Flemish style. The lid
and flap are papered (wood grain surrounded by border paper)
within a frame of the exterior black color. The instrument
stands on a dark-stained carved foot baluster stand.
The music desk is also stained.
 As
with the stand, the soundboard and
wrestplank have been lightly stained, which, along with the
deftly applied finish, gives them a warm, caramel luminescence.
The soundboard is further painted in a naive style, reminiscent
of 17th. c. Flemish practice but with a far less congested
layout.
 The
instrument is being sold by its builder, who is moving on
to a double. It is very well made, has been well cared
for and has survived with only the most minimal defects.
Structurally it seems admirably sound and secure; there are
no soundboard cracks and only the most negligible deflection
of parts from their ideal orientation. There is some
wear of the paint at sharp corners and a few dents and signs
of age and character reflected in the finish, but nothing
unsightly.
This
instrument would excel in nearly any venue appropriate to
a harpsichord. As it was received, the instrument was
loud and exciting, but a bit demanding to play. This
was corrected by a modest revoicing of the original plectra
- the planned total revoicing is waiting to be done to the
taste of the buyer. The art is to arrive at that gray
line between aural POW! and ease of touch. As a class,
these instruments can do this and this particular specimen
proved true to type. In fact, this instrument was recently
used in a series of concerts (four strings and soprano) and
had no trouble garnering favorable comment to itself.
The program included a Handel aria with harpsichord obbligato
(Vo' far guerra, Rinaldo, 1711). It proved itself a
willing and reliable performer. Highly recommended!
Listen
To It...
You can hear excerpts from a demonstration CD-R we have prepared
of this instrument:
F.
Couperin, Prelude 1
F.
Couperin, Prelude 3
J.
S. Bach, Prelude BWV 927
~
A Note About The Files ~
Not all mp3 files are equal! The sound of a harpsichord
is particularly difficult to compress satisfactorily.
The bit rate we have chosen for these samples is the lowest
that reproduces the original recording with negligible loss.
On a 28K Internet connection, the shorter sound sample
will take over 10 minutes to download. If you have a fast
connection (T1, cable modem, DSL) please try the long sample.
~
Problems Playing the File ~
If you cannot play the file through your web browser,
PC users with the Microsoft browser can right click on the
link, then choose the "Save target" option to
download the file, then use an MP3 player (or the Windows
media player) to listen to it.
SB-1 SOLD
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